Adjustable foot for ladders.



F. E, HUNN.

ADJUSTABLE FOOT FOR LADDERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. mm

1,280,741. Pat ent-(56 Oct. 8, 1918.

D Fa .z k y A 3 {A 2 5% g 0 Q F234 71 (Q g Q. a a Q Q E Q Q O *5 g l 5: 5" a 7 O g E 6" FRAN E. HUNN, or LAKE NELBAGAMON, wrsooivsilv.

ADJUSTABLE FOOT FOR LADDERS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 8,1918.

Application filed' November 14, 1916. Serial No. 131,232.

To all/whom z'tmay concern: t

Be it known that I, FRANK E. HUNN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lake Nebagamon, in the county of Douglas and State of WVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Feet for Ladders; and-I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to adjustable feet for ladders, and an object of the invention is the provision of a simple, durable and efficient foot that can be conveniently associated with one of the ladder stiles without necessitating any alteration of the stiles, and

can be easily adjusted so, as to admit ofthe ladder being firmly supported on an uneven surface.

Other objects will appear and be better understood from that embodiment of the invention of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical elevation of a ladder with the improved foot associated with one stile of the ladder, o

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the foot detached from operative position,

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the adjustable foot detached from operative position,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable foot, and

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the inner end of one side of the slidable section of the foot, showing the locking lug thereon.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the letter A designates a ladder, of ordinary construction, having a pair of side stiles and rungs that connect the stiles.

Associated with the lower end of one of the stiles of the ladder is an adjustable foot consisting of a stationary section 2, and a slidable section 3. The section 2 consists of an elongated body or casing, of substantially U-shape in cross section, and formed preferably of metal, the said casing having the connecting wall for the sides thereof engaging against one side of the adjacent stile of the ladder and provided with openings 4 for the reception of fastening bolts which engage in the adjacent stile and hold the casing, or section 2, in operative position on the stile. The opposite sides of the casing or sectlon 2 have their outer edges connected to. each other, at the opposite ends of the casing or section 2, by means of connecting webs 5, which serve to reinforce the sides of. the section 2. The section 3 consists of a U- shaped body formed, preferably, of metal and has the free ends'of the sides thereof provided with laterallyand outwardly projecting lugs 6, which are adapted to be interchangeably receivedby openings 7, formed in the sides of the casing or section 2, so as to hold the section 3 in different adjusted positions. The length of the openings 7 exceeds theheight of the lugs 6, so that when a the lugs; are received by certain opposed openings 7 the upper walls of the openings 7 will abut against the upper sides ofthe lugs, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4,

I sothat the lugswill sustain the weight of the latter. ExtensionsS are formed on the outer ends of the lugs 6 andeXtend parallel with the stiles of the ladder, and are adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the section so as to prevent the accidental withdrawal of .the lugs 6 from the openings 7. The material of which the slidable section 3 is tobe formed is to have sufiicient resiliency to admit of the sides of the section 3 being moved toward each other, so as to withdraw the lugs from the openings 7 when it is desired to adjust the section 3. When it is desired to adjust the section 3, the section 3 is moved a slight distance outwardly, so as to withdraw the lugs from engagement with the upper walls of the openings 7, and to aline the extensions 8 with the openings that are receiving the lugs 6. The sides of the section 3 are then moved toward each other so as to withdraw the lugs 6 from the openings 7. The section 3 can then be moved either inwardly or outwardly, to the desireddistance, and the lugs 6 then engaged in certain opposed openings so as to hold the section 3 in adjusted position. In order to admit of the sides of the section 3 being conveniently moved toward each other, to efiect withdrawal of the lugs from the openings, a pair of fingers 9 are provided that are formed integral with the lugs 6 and project outwardly beyond the outer edge of the sides of the section 2, and so located that they can be conveniently grasped by the operator. The rear wall of the section 2, and the connecting web 5 at the lower end of the section 2, are provided with cutout portions 10, which contribute to the cheapness of the ladder foot by the saving ofmaterial. I I

It is evident that various changes might be resorted to in the construction, form and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, is:

1. A ladder foot comprising a casing havingoppositely disposed pairs of openings and secured to a stile of a ladder, a substantially U-shaped section slidable in said casing and having its web portion disposed outwardly of the casing to form a foot, and means formed on the ends of the arm portions of said section adapted to fit in any one pair of the openings to hold said section in various adjusted positions.

2. A ladder foot comprising a casing having pairs of oppositely disposed openings and secured to the stile of a ladder, a substantially U-shaped section slidable in said casing and having its web portion disposed outwardly thereof to form a foot, laterally projecting lugs formed upon the ends of the arm portions of the sections adapted to fit in any one pair of the openings to hold said sections in various positions, and ineans formed upon said lugs to prevent them from becoming accidentally disengaged from the walls of the openings.

3; A ladder foot comprising a casing having pairs of oppositely disposed openings and secured to the stile of a ladder, a sub- M stantially U-shaped section slidable in said casing and having its web portion disposed outwardly of the casing to form a foot, laterally projecting lugs formed upon the free ends of the arm portions of said section adapted to fit in any one pair of the openings to hold said section in various positions, and shoulders formed upon the lugs for engagement with the casing to prevent said lugs from being accidentally withdrawn from the openings.

4. A ladder foot comprising a casing secured to the stile of the ladder and having pairs of o positely disposed openings, a substantially U-shaped section slidable in said casing and having its Web portion disposed outwardly of the casing to forma foot, the arm portions of said section being construeted of resilient material, laterally projecting lugs formed upon the ends of the arm portions and adapted to fit in any one pair of the openings to hold said section in various adjusted positions, shoulders formed on said lugs and adapted to engage the easing to prevent accidental withdrawal or the lugs from said openings, and right angled extensions formed upon the free ends of said arm portions and adapted to project out of said casing to form finger holds operable so as to bend the arm portions for disengaging the lugs from the openings. I

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. HUNN.

Witnesses C. F, STONE e. w. wnm

Copies of this patent may be obtained for'five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). c." 

